Homework hints

---

Hints: (for studying, doing homework and take-home tests)

• There are usually many ways to do a problems. You should think about all the methods and perhaps try them all. The best approach usually depends on the problem, so it will often be different for different problems.
• You must practice (i.e. do lots of homework) to be comfortable with the methods used to solve the problems in this class. Practice will also help you know which of the several methods we have learned will be the best for the problem you are working on.
• Make sure you work is done neat and orderly. This way if there is a mistake you will have a much easier time tracking down the mistake if you have been neat and orgainized.
• If things get out of hand computationally you have several options:
  1. Think about looking for a mistake in your work.
  2. Think about using a different method.
  3. Keep going -- maybe it will eventually work out.
• Look at EVERY computational problem in the book and do the following:
  1. Determine the concepts needed to solve the problem
  2. Determine the method involved for solving the problem
  3. You should have done at least one similar problem (and understood it)
  4. If you have not done a similar problem, do this one This really should not take too long once you get used to studying this way.
• Look at the ``theoretical'' problems and think about some of the - especially the ones I have assigned for homework.
• Think about the type of problems I did at the board in class. If I thought they were important enough to do in class, they are probably important enough to put on test.